La Palombe Kensington — Restaurant in London

Dining at La Palombe with my family was nothing short of exceptional - a masterclass in modern French cuisine, wrapped in warmth, care and a quiet confidence. From the moment we arrived, we knew we were in for something special. The setting is intimate and elegant, with a relaxed charm that invites you to settle in and savour. What followed was a culinary journey marked by precision, creativity and an unmistakable sense of passion from the kitchen. We began with braised venison croquettes which were crisp and rich and a perfect opening bite. The stand out entrees included a wild mushroom and garlic soup, poured table-side which was served with a parmesan toast covered. This was deeply comforting and full of earthy nuance. The chargrilled octopus cooked Provençale style with pickled carrots and capers had an incredibly tender texture and vibrancy- a balance of boldness and finesse. The main courses were equally impressive. The wild noisette venison with chou farci, and Diane sauce was robust, elegant and flawlessly cooked. The roast chicken ballotine -paired with hen of the wood’s mushrooms, hispi cabbage and a rich jus -was equally soulful and satisfying, while the Cornish cod with crispy chicken skin and chardonnay beurre blanc brought a coastal freshness that lingered beautifully. We ended with a shared Paris-Brest, which was perfectly crispy and creamy – the cream a paradoxical indulgent yet light hazelnut mousseline. This was a flawless end to a flawless meal. A particularly thoughtful and memorable touch was that several dishes were brought to our table by the chefs themselves -including Head Chef Jake Leach. This simple gesture added such a personal dimension to the experience, offering a rare window into the team’s pride and connection to the food they create. Despite their youth, the entire kitchen team exudes confidence, skill, and passion well beyond their years. It is a quiet revolution of next-generation talent, working in harmony and delivering something truly special. The front of house staff mirrored the kitchen team’s confidence, knowledge and passion. La Palombe is a rare gem - not just a restaurant, but an experience built on care, talent, and heart. Chef Jake Leach and his team are ones to watch, though they’ve already more than arrived. We left feeling nourished, inspired and already dreaming of...

SECOND VISIT (Mar-2025): After a fairly decent meal in early 2024, I was tempted into a revisit after reading a very positive media review and hearing about their new head chef (ex Harwood Arms and Ledbury). Unfortunately we didn’t enjoy the food as much on this visit, with our main item - the cote de boeuf - lacking juiciness and flavour. The croquettes, veal sweetbread and monkfish were not bad but not memorable either, however the confit duck was really good, as was the Paris Brest and homemade ice creams for dessert. Service continued to be very friendly, no complaints there. Pricing seemed higher versus a year ago with our family dinner coming to £285 without any alcohol. Overall I’d stick with my initial 4 star rating but it’s now closer to the lower end of it.

ORIGINAL REVIEW (early 2024): We visited for dinner on a Saturday evening. This newly opened venue has been quite nicely done and felt quite homely. My family of 2 young adults and 2 young kids ordered the bread, mackerel pate, prawns, chicken leg, duck l’orange and entrecôte pepper steak, with fries and cauliflower as sides. The food was generally quite nice, and the main courses were the highlight - the steak and the chicken in particular! Unfortunately desserts were a bit of an anticlimax. The selection was limited, the poached pear we tried was so-so while the tart was lacking in flavour. Note that the menu currently on the website has quite a few differences to the one we were offered on the night.

Service was friendly and efficient, and our primary server was very attentive to our kids needs, which was nice to see. The mostly uneaten tart was removed from the bill without being asked. The damage for our meal came to £244, of which £55 was spent on drinks. Worth pointing out red wines by the glass were surprisingly expensive (mostly £15+) relative to the rest of the menu. That said, the one I tried was very nice. Overall a solid dinner and a nice addition to the neighbourhood, although I do hope the dessert selection will...

La Palombe is a delightful French bistro that brings the authentic flavors of France to the heart of Kensington. The restaurant's ambiance is both cozy and inviting, making it an ideal spot for a memorable dining experience.

We had lunch on Sunday afternoon, we had a selection of starters; the wild mushroom soup, with actual wild mushrooms sourced directly from France. The soup was rich and earthy, capturing the essence of traditional French cuisine. We also had the chargrilled octopus à la Provençale, which was perfectly cooked, and the accompanying sauce was exceptional.

For our main courses, we selected the duck à l'orange, wild noisette venison, and a roasted chicken dish. Each was served with a medley of vegetables and a fine sauce that complemented the meats beautifully. The flavors were robust, and the presentation was impeccable.

A highlight of our meal was the kindness of the second chef, who offered us a taste of their freshly made madeleines and croquettes during our meal. The madeleine pastries were home made and a delicate end to our dining experience, leaving us eager to return.

Unfortunately, there was no children's menu available. Perhaps the chef could consider introducing one in the future, making this wonderful restaurant even more family-friendly.

La Palombe's dedication to authentic French cooking, combined with their warm hospitality, makes it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a genuine taste of...